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What parents need to know

Educational value

Good primer for teens who are curious about what it means to be transgender. Spells out the everyday complications that Grady faces once he decides to live life as a boy. Not only does he have to explain his new identity to family members, but he also has to worry about more mundane things, such as which bathroom to use at school and where to shower after gym class.

Positive messages

Speaks to tolerance and accepting change in other people.

Positive role models

Grady is certainly brave, and his family -- especially his mother -- works hard to understand him. Readers will understand why little moments are such a big deal, such as when a cashier calls him "sir" or when his mother finally uses his new name.

Violence

Bullies throw milk on Grady in the school cafeteria. A group of girls verbally harasses him and plans a cruel prank.

Sex

Grady has a crush on a girl, and, in one intimate moment, they share a french fry.

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Parrotfish centers on a transgender character (Grady was born a girl but wants to live as a boy). When he starts to live openly as a boy, he's harassed at school by both boys and girls, faces resistance from school staff and an old friend, and even has some trouble at home.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's the story?

When Grady decides to start living openly as a boy (instead of being a girl named Angela), he faces harassment at school and hesitation from his oldest friend and some family members. But he also finds a new support system with friends who accept him, including a beautiful girl named Kita. Grady's family always puts on a big production for Christmas, including performing A Christmas Carol from inside their home for the whole town to see. This year, Grady rewrites the play to teach a powerful lesson about accepting change.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

What Ellen Wittlinger does really well here is spell out the everyday complications that Grady faces once he decides to live life as a boy. Not only does he have to explain his new identity to family members, but he also has to worry about more mundane things, such as which bathroom to use at school and where to shower after gym class. Grady's certainly brave, and his family -- especially his mother -- works hard to understand him. Readers will understand why little moments are such a big deal, such as when a cashier calls him "sir" or when his mother finally uses his new name.

A secondary story line about Grady's Christmas-obsessed father is a bit over the top, but this obsession does set the stage for a dramatic last scene. In the end, this is a good primer for teens who are curious about what it means to be transgender.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about identity change. In what ways do teens typically play with their identities (changing their hairstyles, dressing differently, and so on)?

In recent years there have been a lot more books featuring gay, bisexual, and transgender characters. Is the same true for other forms of media, such as TV, movies, or video games? What do you think of this trend? What impact does it have on our culture?

What would happen at your school if someone made a major identity change like Grady does? Would that person be accepted?

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When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

When I first picked up this book I almost put it down. But I have read many other books by Wittlinger and they all have been extremly good. When I finnished this book I was glad I hadn't quit reading. It gives a positive message about accepting other people, even if they are different from yourself.

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